The King meets 14-year-old Samir

The King speaks with Samir's family. From left: interpreter Gazell Raouf-Fartash, brothers Mer and Mustafa, mother Zainab, father Sulieman and Samir. Photo: royalcourt.se

On Wednesday 22 January, The King received Samir at the Royal Palace of Stockholm. The My Big Day foundation helped Samir to make his dream come true: to meet The King.

The King and Samir during the meeting. Photo: royalcourt.se

Samir is 14 years old, and lives near Skövde. He is in year eight at school, and enjoys maths and English. His family came to Sweden two years ago, but they have been on the move for a long time. They left Afghanistan and travelled to Iran, where they stayed for a few years, before making their way to Turkey, then Greece, and finally Sweden.

Following a serious accident, Samir has had to undergo several operations involving complicated follow-up procedures. He is recovering well, but will have to live with complications for many years to come.

"I've achieved my dream," said Samir afterwards. "Meeting The King was incredible. He asked about me and my family, and explained that he had been King for forty years." Photo: royalcourt.se

My Big Day

My Big Day is a fundraising organisation that helps seriously ill children to realise their dreams. Each year, hundreds of children in Sweden fall ill with diseases that have a serious impact on their lives, and these diseases can often be life-threatening. The foundation's goal is to give these children something to dream about on long days when they have to undergo tough treatment.